Author: The South Sudan Herald

Swearing-In Marks Party Confidence At the SPLM House in Juba, Second Deputy Chairperson Mary Apai Ayiga administered the oath that elevated Governor Jacob Dollar Ruot to the party’s top seat for Upper Nile State. The scene underscored what she called ‘confidence and trust’ from President Salva Kiir’s leadership. In her remarks, Apai challenged the new chairperson to weave unity, peace and development into a single fabric. She cautioned against command-and-control attitudes, arguing that effective governance in Upper Nile depends on listening patiently and serving communities rather than issuing orders. Governor Dollar’s Policy Agenda Accepting the post, Governor Dollar thanked President…

Mounting Pressure on Mvolo Farms Mvolo County officials say herds of cattle crossing from neighbouring Lakes State have trampled sorghum, maize and groundnut fields since early July, threatening the county’s fragile food supply. Commissioner Amaai Ruben Majok told reporters the losses are weekly and cumulative, adding, “We urge calm, but hunger is real.” His office has flagged the case to the State Ministry of Local Government and Law Enforcement for mediation. Farmers Voice Growing Desperation In Kokori Village, farmer Martha Ikuya walks her ravaged plot each dawn, hoping surviving shoots might pull through. “Our farms are all we own; once…

Road Safety Alarms in Wau Town Two unrelated crashes claimed two lives in Wau on Wednesday, raising fresh concern over a culture of speeding that police say continues to imperil South Sudan’s roads. Officers blame distracted driving and excessive velocity for the day’s deadly chain of events. Daraja Hotel Fence Tragedy In Daraja, a car exiting a hotel struck a perimeter fence. The concrete slab collapsed onto a young man seated nearby, killing him instantly. Capt. Ring John Chol attributes the fatal lapse to a momentary loss of focus by the driver. Motorbike Collision Near Wau Airport Minutes later, two…

Statewide Sweep Targets Unlicensed Wheels The traffic department in Northern Bahr el Ghazal this week rolled out its toughest sweep in years, ordering officers to seize any motorcycle lacking plates or licenses. Numbers Behind the Operation State Traffic Police Director Diing Reech Diing said 112 bikes were removed from Aweil’s streets within three days, following directives issued after a high-level security meeting. Officials link the sweep to a spike in collisions, noting that unregistered riders accounted for a majority of the 37 road incidents logged this quarter. Laser Headlights Under Scrutiny A review of accident reports flagged powerful after-market laser…

Commissioners’ Forum in Wau Boosts Local Governance Commissioners from Jur River, Wau and Raja opened their first joint forum in Western Bahr el Ghazal on Thursday, pledging to sharpen governance and service delivery. Health, Education and Security Top the Agenda Over three days, delegates dissect health facilities, classroom gaps, police deployment and rule-of-law mechanisms, seeking practical fixes that can be applied county by county. State–County Coordination Strategy Reviewed Organizing chair William Kamilio said the meeting operationalises a roadmap drafted at last year’s governor forum, giving state officials clearer insight into county-level bottlenecks. UNMISS Partnership Enhances Dialogue Acting UNMISS field head…

Security Sweeps Stir Parliamentary Anxiety Early-morning door-to-door searches in Juba have drawn sharp concern from National Legislative Assembly member Nyang Johnson, who says heavily armed officers ignore protocol and startle sleeping families during raids across the capital (Eye Radio, 2024). Johnson reports that some officers openly blame lawmakers for South Sudan’s crises, dismissing parliamentary identification and entering homes “the way they want,” a posture he labels disrespectful and alarming. Expired IDs Create Friction At Checkpoints Most MPs carry lapsed identification cards because replacement has stalled, complicating attempts to prove status during searches. Under assembly rules, legislators may keep an armed…

Suspension of Lakes State Media The Lakes State government has ordered Lakes State Media off air, citing interviews with defectors as a threat to public order. In a letter signed by Acting Information Minister William Koji Kirjok, officials asked the outlet to change its name, claiming it wrongly implies official status. Contested Legal Authority Media lawyers note that only the national Media Authority may revoke a license, arguing the state decree could exceed constitutional limits (Media Authority Act 2013). “A state ministry acting alone risks breaching jurisdiction,” a Juba-based legal scholar said, requesting anonymity to speak freely. Opposition Interview at…

Security Committee Zeroes In On Public Land Central Equatoria’s Security Committee met in Munuki Block this week to address mounting concerns over illegal occupation of public land across Juba and surrounding counties. Governor Rabi Mujung Emmanuel, chairing the session, signalled a decisive shift, stating his government ‘will reclaim every space intended for schools, parks, and cemeteries’ (governor’s press unit). Reports Demanded From Local Leaders Local Government Minister Leon Abe Brown confirmed commissioners and the Juba mayor must deliver detailed maps of grabbed plots, especially burial grounds converted into housing, to guide imminent enforcement. Abe said investigators will identify ‘who lives…

Digital Reform Boosts Non-Oil Revenue Since 2020, South Sudan’s Revenue Authority has seen average monthly collections jump from 3 billion to record figures, a rise officials attribute to an integrated digital tax platform linked with commercial banks and mobile operators. Commissioner General Simon Akuei praised collaboration with the Ministry of ICT, saying the system ‘has injected accountability and shut common leakages,’ allowing salaries to reach civil servants on schedule since 2024. Partial Uptake Among Key Agencies Despite headline gains, the Authority reports that the Ministry of Trade, Civil Aviation Authority, National Bureau of Standards and Directorate of Immigration still rely…

Bentiu Radio Returns to the Airwaves On Tuesday, Bentiu Radio 99.0 FM crackled back to life after nearly twelve silent months. Governor Riek Bim cut the ribbon during a brief ceremony, marking a symbolic restart for a station many residents describe as Unity State’s heartbeat. Government Investment Powers the Revamp Information Minister Engineer Gatwech Bipal Both told attendees that state funds underwrote the refurbishment. The transmitter now blankets a 115-kilometer radius, operates around the clock, and links to South Sudan Broadcasting Cooperation television and radio, reinforcing official communication channels. Community Reactions to the Fresh Signal Listener Joseph Lony reported immediate…